Fort Worth Gets $400,000 Boost for Brownfields Program

Mar 15, 2010

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $400,000 to the City of Fort Worth, Texas, to identify and inventory brownfields properties, conduct environmental site assessments and conduct outreach activities to inform citizens and communities about its communitywide Brownfields Program.

“Returning Brownfields to productive use is one of the most visible kinds of projects that demonstrate to the public the values that government can have on their daily life,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “Fort Worth leadership in this program will have both economic and environmental benefits.”

Brownfields are vacant, abandoned or under-used properties with redevelopment potential that suffer from known or perceived environmental contamination. Addressing the nation's brownfields is an ongoing challenge for communities of every size. By focusing on redevelopment, properties are put back into productive use for communities while helping to keep undeveloped lands in a natural state.

“Brownfields are the next growth centers in the city of Fort Worth,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief. “This continued partnership with the EPA places much needed resources into revitalizing our neighborhoods as well as creating a viable economic development opportunity for all.”

The city will receive $200,000 to conduct petroleum assessment activities and $200,000 to conduct hazardous substances assessment activities.